The looming trade tensions over China's subsidies

China's commerce minister, Wang Wentao, warned of a "poor" trade environment in a recent speech, citing rising trade protectionism and geopolitical conflicts. He reassured the audience that China's record exports in electric vehicles, solar energy products, and lithium batteries were in its favor. However, this has led to concerns from developed country trading partners about low-cost Chinese imports flooding their markets. The EU and US are taking measures to diversify their sources of key products and tightening investment screening for Chinese companies. The EU is set to conclude an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EV production, while the US has implemented export controls on high-tech shipments to China. China has criticized these actions as protectionism, but western critics argue that China's industrial policies and state subsidies have contributed to this situation. Developed countries want China to dilute its industrial policies and focus on the domestic economy, while China is seeking open trading relationships consistent with its industrial policy. The EU launched an anti-subsidy investigation in response to China's increasing market share in electric vehicles.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is causing the looming trade tensions over China's subsidies?

A1: Trade tensions are mounting due to China's subsidies which are perceived as creating an uneven playing field and affecting the competitiveness of foreign companies. Specific details about the nature of these subsidies and how they are causing tension were not provided in the search results. For more information, please refer to the full Financial Times article. [Link not available]

Q2: How is the US administration planning to address the trade tensions related to China's subsidies?

A2: The US administration, led by Joe Biden, hopes to unleash a green revolution and has certain plans in action to address the trade tensions. However, the search results do not provide explicit details on this strategy. To gain insight into the Biden administration's approach, consider reading the original content from the Financial Times. [Link not available]

Q3: What lessons has the EU learned from past trade tensions with China?

A3: According to the available search results, the EU has acknowledged that its past approach towards China was not stringent enough. By learning from previous trade dealings, the EU is now adapting its strategy. Exact lessons or strategies are not detailed and would require a full reading of the respective Financial Times article for comprehensive understanding. [Link not available]

Q4: What is the EU's stance on trade with China, and are there any new strategies?

A4: The EU is struggling to 'de-risk' trade with China and is looking for ways to balance economic interests with geopolitical concerns. EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis has spoken to the Financial Times regarding this matter, but further specifics are not included in the search results. For an in-depth analysis, please visit the Financial Times website. [Link not available]

Q5: Have China's leaders responded to concerns about the trade deficit with the EU?

A5: China has dismissed the EU's concerns regarding the trade deficit as the leaders of both regions meet. The content implies that there might be some disagreement or lack of concern from China's side, but for a full perspective, the article from the Financial Times would be the best source of information. [Link not available]

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